Features 5 Alternatives to 5 Spokes of 60s

Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post:

5 Alternatives to 5 Spokes of 60s

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Interesting choices.... but are they 'traditional'?

The Pontiacs are near unobtainium these days and never seen 'back in the day' on anything other than OE that I recall, the Astros were basically just cheap stamped steel copies of the cast race wheels, and the Halibrands, while 'traditional', were and are high-buck, rarely seen.

That leaves the Rader and the 'Vette wheels. The Rader design wasn't all that popular as an aftermarket wheel at the time, but became a staple of the OEMs with similar designs still being offered on some cars to this day, with most aftermarket being targeted to imports. The Vette design had somewhat the same history, although there seemed to be more aftermarket copying going on for the 'rod' market. Granted, most weren't exact copies, but the 'flavor' was there IMO....

To me, this encapsulates the difference of opinion between the 'parts' and 'style' view of what's traditional.

 

What on earth is that behind the vette?

 

I will have to say that at the HRR this past weekend in Bowling green, there was a olds cutlass that had the 8 lug wheels on it looked damn good. Fresh!

 

Hemi Orange- That's LA Airport Terminal

 

For me there is no alternative to the 5 spoke Americans or their many clones. I'm too cheap for real Americans. but I love me some clones.

 

Yep. LAX Main Terminal It has expanded a little since the Corvette pic was taken.

Then


Now

 

A popular truck wheel back in the day was a Jackman white steel wheel found on trailers, 4x4's and trucks. They were reasonably priced and easy to paint to match body colors.

 

That´s really cool!

 

The only on that list that really catches me is the Halibrands. But, here is where I have to be sort of a dick - In Halibrand nomenclature that wheel is called a "Sportmag". The Kidney Bean is the traditional Halibrand with the small kidney bean shaped windows, aka small windows. The two terms get mis matched daily, but there is only one SPORTMAG! The mere sight of an original set actually induces a guttural reaction from me that sounds sort of zombie like.... S P O R T M A G S!!!!

 

I spent a few hours polishing up a set of Foresight Venture Drag Mags this week which will have tires mounted hopefully tonight, and I've got a minty set of Keystone Kustomags ready to mount to another project as soon as it's painted. Those two, Fenton Hawks (got 2 sets stashed) and chrome oe style steel wheels would be my favorite alternatives to 5 spokes.

 

Oh, oh, drop yer pants Steve, I gotta give you a spankin'...
Its not the first time I've posted this pic, but its worth another look. Big tri-power poncho to boot. Be pretty cool to clone this thing...

 

And Jive bomber missed a wheel that was probably more popular on rods AND customs in the early/mid sixties than several of the ones he mentioned. Skylark wires.

 

Truth.

 

This just illustrates the irony involved with declaring that 'this' or 'that' is traditional or not. Some would say that these small-number examples are aberrations, not representative of what was 'commonly' done and so not really traditional, while others offer these as justification. So who's right?....

 

I agree Steve, that car is an aberration( a pretty damn cool aberration). But you DID say "never", thats always a recipe for trouble.
How about a black full-fendered Model A coupe with a tri-power 389, Bonneville cloned tri-tone red and white upholstery, and 1" whites on 8 lug wheels? Would that be bitchin' or what?

 

That's no Astro in those pics.

 

You are correct, was trying to place it by memory. Maybe Howards before the wheel they made with the heart shaped windows??

 

I dunno,I'm still a sucker for the old 5 spokes,I have always said they would look good on a dump truck! HRP

 

Whoops. Did I not post that right? What the hell with the grey print there boss??

 

Pretty sure it's a new copy a Hamber was trying to sell a while back.

 

Mickey Thompson five spokes are the same as Radir? Wow, who knew? Thanks HAMB

 

No, the "Radirs" are not the same, not even remotely. Little more than a vague resemblance to the old M/T's or Raders.

Or was that sarcasm that went over my head??

 

When did the five slot aluminum wheels come out? I know I saw a bunch of them in the 70's on musclecars and T Buckets, especially the deep dish ones on the rear. They are a favorite of mine along with the five spokes.

 

I love kidneybeans, didn't know there were multiple variations, the sportmag is even better.

 

Dig the header pic dad.

 

I'm could be wrong, but if memory serves me, those didn't come out until the mid 70's

 

Actually, Jackman wheels were on the market in the early seventies. Tom and Harry Jackman built the '32 Cabriolet featured in countless magazines in 1959. Jackman pioneered the powder coating process for steel wheels. Another plus for the steel wheels is the fact that they look great pinstriped.